THE BELTWAY BOYS: Investing In the "Futures" Market

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Investing In the "Futures" Market

"Bat-man" Jose Guillen

By Farid Rushdi for the Beltway Boys
Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden announced Friday that the club has exercised their 2006 option year for rightfielder Jose Guillen. The contract, signed by Guillen with Bowden and Nats manager Frank Robinson looking on, will pay him $4 million dollars for 2006.

Guillen, playing for his seventh major league team since 1997, has expressed his desire to finish his career in Washington. "It feels great just to be here in Washington for a long period of time," Guillen said. "I don't want to be here for one year. I just want to be in one place for a long period of time. I want to make Washington my home. I'm going to do the best I can to stay here."

Guillen was traded to the Nationals during the off season for two relatively obscure Expos players. Coming to Washington with Guillen was his "baggage," the reason for the lopsided trade. After being pulled for a pinch hitter last September, Guillen lost his cool and threw his helmet at Angels' manager Mike Scoscia and was suspended for the rest of the season. "He has been nothing but a perfect gentlemen" said GM Bowden.

Guillen and fellow outfielder Brad Wilkerson are the two players to build a champion around, two important cogs to have on the field when the Nationals begin play in their new stadium in 2008. So far, so good.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 7:06 PM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.

Two of my six children were born with serious physical and mental handicaps, which has made my life anything but normal [don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have had it any other way]. Kendi died two years ago at the age of 20 due to a nurse's error during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so very much.

After 30 years in the business world, I have gone back to school to get my teaching degree. I am currently a junior at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

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Katie was born with the same genetic disorder as her sister Kendi, though not as severe. Katie is able to walk, even run. She cannot talk but has learned a 100 word sign vocabulary. She loves to go for long walks [I push her in a special stroller] around the neighborhood

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?